IPL 2019, Match 50, CSK VS DC: 5 things to expect from the game

Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, two teams who have already secured playoff spots, will compete in Match 50 of the IPL 2019 at the MA Chidhambram Stadium, Chennai tonight. This will be the final home game of the seaosn for the Men in Yellow.

While the Super Kings have lost some momentum after suffering three losses in their last four games, their wins in the initial phase of the tournament means there are no reasons to panic. Chennai will look to return to winning ways when they take on a formidable Delhi side.

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have progressed to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Table-toppers currently, they’ve won six of their last seven matches, including all four on the road. They will look to continue their good work and finish at the top of the points table.

Here are five things that we can expect from tonight's encounter.

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#5 Will Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu come good for CSK?

Suresh Raina has been in best of forms this season(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

CSK may have qualified for the playoffs without any fuss, but that doesn't mean they don't have any problems.Thier batting has been letting them down in the games that they have lost so far and their over-reliance on MS Dhoni cannot be overlooked.

Ambati Rayudu has one of the worst strike rates (89) for a player who has scored over 200 runs in this edition of the IPL. It is very low at this format of the game.

While the strike rate of Suresh Raina may be good, he has not been himself this season with the bat and also in the field. CSK will hope that there is a change in fortune for the duo tonight.

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#4 The sight of the yellow wave

Whistle Podu chants will reverberate across the stadium(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com).

The Chennai crowd have been among the most passionate audience of cricket from the time the sport graced the city. The best example is surely the lap of the honor done by the Pakistan cricket team for their sportive behavior in 1999.

Can anyone remember the last time when a stadium was jam-packed just to see their home team practice in nets? That is precisely what transpired when the CSK team came out to the Chepauk ground to do their routines before the start of their 2019 campaign. It was a surreal moment for any team, let alone for a franchise-based side.

If the support and following for a team is like that, then imagine what will be the scene when they take on the field against the Delhi Capitals in their last home game of the season!

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#3 Will CSK win without Dhoni?

Will MS Dhoni be missed once again?(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

In all likelihood, Dhoni will not take the field in their last home game of the season. He is down with illness over the past week and CSK will not risk him in this game as they have already qualified for the playoffs and also because the World Cup is just around the corner.

Raina will most likely lead the side once again in the absence of Dhoni for the third time this season. CSK have been over dependent on MSD throughout the season which is not a good sign for the Men in Yellow.

They are yet to win this season when Dhoni has not played and this may be a good chance for Raina to set the record straight. One can expect the team to bounce back in this game at their home and take the top spot.

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#2 Battle of Indian Test openers

Murali Vijay returned to the team last game(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com).

Shikhar Dhawan had a stunning turnaround in the last few games after a rather disappointing start to the campaign. He began to score at a brisk pace and is the leading run getter for the Capitals so far this season.

While his compatriot Murali Vijay found a place in the eleven only in the last game and is all set to retain his place after a decent showing against the Mumbai Indians. Vijay is infact the leading run getter at this venue whenever both these sides meet at the Chepauk.

It will an interesting battle to witness between two Indian Test openers when these two teams clash for the second time this season.

Who will come out on top in what is expected to be low scoring yet gripping encounter? Only time will tell.

#1 Who will finish at the top of the points table?

Who will emerge victorious?(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com).

The contest between Chennai Super Kings and the Delhi Capitals would be kind of a dead rubber, considering both teams have already booked their spots in the playoffs.

The winner of the CSK and DC clash will most likely be the table-topper of the league and either one or both these teams will have more than one opportunity to reach the final by virtue of finishing in the top 2.

The fact that Dhoni may not play the game means that DC will start the tie as the favorities considering CSK's weak batting order in the absence of MSD. But this will also be a huge opprtunity for several CSK batsman to come good at the business end of the season.

Which of these teams will top the points table after tonight? We just have to wait a few more hours to know.